Muhlenberg Poll Finds Heath Concerns Over Fracking, Climate Change Decline In PA

A new Muhlenberg College Public Health Program Poll of Pennsylvanians finds health concerns over fracking natural gas as a major health risk have declined by 11 percentage points over the last two years, while the number of people undecided on the issue has increased 14 percent.

Twenty-seven percent believe fracking for natural gas/oil major health risk, 32 percent a minor risk, 16 percent no risk and 25 percent aren’t sure.

On climate change, 48 percent believe climate change it is a major risk to health, 24 percent a minor risk, 20 percent no risk and 9 percent aren’t sure.

Those that believe it is a major risk declined by two percentage points in the last year. Those that believe it is a minor risk declined by four percentage points in the last year.

Among other health findings related to the environment are--

-- Drinking Water: 53 percent believe contaminated drinking water is a major health risk, 37 percent minor risk, 6 percent no risk, 4 percent not sure;

-- Lyme Disease: 38 percent believe Lyme Disease from tick bites is a major health risk, 48 percent a minor risk, 4 percent no risk, 10 percent not sure; and

-- Radon: 28 percent believe radon gas is a major health risk, 37 percent minor risk, 7 percent no risk, 28 percent not sure.

Click Here for full poll results.

[Posted: April 15, 2021]  PA Environment Digest